The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, expressed that based on their regular monitoring of Gender-Based Violence through CITAD’S Mobile GBV App revealed persistent occurrence of Gender-Based Violence, most especially the high number of sexual harassments.
In comparison with the data obtained in previous months, GBV cases are still on the increase.
35 cases were reported via the GBV App for the month which includes Rape, Sexual Harassment, Online Harassment, Sexual Abuse, Wife Battering and school violence.
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While monitoring, CITAD received an anonymous tip as follows “Assalamu alaikum, my report is based on school violence, Report from Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies”, the report is between a lecturer and student, which he holds their exams despite the students have scaled through.
“This shows that violence in school needs to be given attention”.
Fatima Baba Kura, representative gender technical officer, said monitoring and reporting of these violence cases have increased awareness amongst individuals and the society at large.
“We hope to continue to intensify our efforts in creating more awareness in all areas and communities within the state.
“We would like to commend the efforts of all stakeholders in intensifying their effort to create awareness against GBV.
“While we continue to monitor, we will like to appeal to parents, relatives and others to always report cases to the various to either directly to us or to other sister NGOs as well as to government agencies such as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) or Hisbah.
“GBV strives when we all keep quiet. We cannot win the battle against it unless every perpetrator is brought to the books” She said.
Fatima advised that keeping silent will not protect the victims who suffer. It encourages the perpetrators to take this silence as a stamp of acceptability.
However CITAD recommend the following towards fighting GBV
- We urge the public to always report cases of GBV to the relevant authorities.
- We call on the government to intensify efforts to put laws that protect individuals against GBV in place so that perpetrators can desist from such acts.
- Online violence is on the increase, we recommend the public to be aware that violence online is not acceptable.
- We urge school authorities to constitute a team of observers that will monitor and report GBV.
- We also call on teachers/lecturers to uphold their duty towards the students in their care. As Teachers, they need to protect such students and not violate them.
